What the latest routine immunization coverage estimates mean for eradication
The newly-released 2025 WHO/UNICEF Estimates of National Immunization Coverage (WUENIC) show a mixed picture for polio. More children are fully protected, with completion of the full inactivated polio vaccine schedule climbing to 74% globally and leaping from 47% to 60% in Africa. But hard work remains: 54% of the world’s zero-dose children, who have never received any vaccines, live in fragile, conflict-affected settings — including many of the countries tackling polio transmission. Learn what the numbers mean for eradication, and why ending polio and strengthening routine immunization must go hand-in-hand to finish the job.
Women football stars team up to kick polio out of Africa
As the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off, some of the continent’s biggest football stars are stepping up to end polio. The “Kick Out Polio” campaign features 11 women footballers from Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Nigeria, alongside youth advocates and influential voices, calling on African leaders to renew commitment, sustain investment and reach every child. The timing matters: variant poliovirus detections across Africa fell 50% in the first half of 2026, but conflict, misinformation and shrinking resources threaten hard-won gains. Read how women athletes are speaking up for this final push and access the campaign resources.
Zambia targets 3.9 million children in latest polio vaccination campaign
Following poliovirus detection earlier this year, Zambia launched the third round of its polio vaccination campaign this month, with a focus on reaching remaining zero-dose children. The launch also marked the inauguration of a new solarized National Vaccine Store, marking a major step forward to increase the strength and resilience of the country’s vaccine cold chain. Find out how Zambia is leveraging both campaigns and the routine immunization system to close immunity gaps and reach every child.
Summary of new polioviruses this week:
- Pakistan: two WPV1-positive environmental samples
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: four cVDPV2 cases
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic: one cVDPV1 case
- South Sudan: one cVDPV1 case
